Last December, 16 year-old Jasmine Thar was visiting family in North Carolina when a single bullet struck her, as well as her aunt and cousin. While the other two women survived, Jasmine died from her injuries.

The shooter, James Anthony Blackwell, lived across the street. He claimed his 700 model Remington rifle went off by accident. The local police believed him, and Blackwell was released without any charges being filed against him.

Thar’s family is outraged that Blackwell has not been charged. They point to the implausibility of a single bullet, fired by accident, going through a window and hitting three different people; as well as the fact that Blackwell, a white man, had confederate flags and Nazi readings and memorabilia in his bedroom, as proof that there might have been a far more sinister motive behind the shooting.

“Even an accidental death is liable for prosecution. The lack of charges against Blackwell more than five months after the shooting is disturbing. It seems incredulous that the local authorities did not, at least, file manslaughter, negligent homicide or some other lesser charge immediately after the shooting.”

The Thar family is demanding justice for Jasmine. At the very least, they believe that a thorough investigation into the shooting needs to take place immediately.

“Jasmine Thar’s family and civil rights activist John Barnett met Wednesday morning at her former school to announce a trip back to Chadbourn, N.C., where Jasmine was killed.

The man who shot her said it was an accident, and the district attorney there said he needs more time to review evidence.

‘It’s been almost five months, nearly six (or) seven holidays passed (and) no one arrested, no testing. And so the family needs closure. We won’t sit idle and do nothing about this. We are going full force,’ Barnett said.”

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Why take the pledge?

Far too many Black youth continue to be demonized, criminalized and murdered.

Enough is enough!

In response to this intensifying crisis, the Black Youth Project (BYP) has launched “The Pledge.”

With “The Pledge,” we are asking individuals and organizations to close ranks around black youth and make a commitment to take action and fight with black youth as they confront a relentless crisis. We at the BYP believe that each person can make a difference by doing something!

By taking The Pledge we not only articulate our concern about black youth, but symbolically unite our voices with others who will work to confront this crisis.

If we each take action, whether it is starting a group, signing a petition, or mentoring a young person in your neighborhood, then we all become a part of the solution.